Cowra’s Young Citizen of the Year award recipient Maddi Johnson hopes she can represent to Cowra youth the vast amount of opportunity available to them in the town.

Maddi, who has taken part in many events that support the Cowra community, particularly in 2016 told those present at Thursday’s Australia Day ceremony that opportunity existed in Cowra for youth who were willing to seek it out.

A young lady who has represented Cowra on a local, regional, state and international level Maddi has been an active Youth Council member since 2014, taking on coordination of many activities.

She was a Senior School Prefect at Cowra High School, selected to take part in the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra.

She was also chosen as one of only six Australians to participate in the United Nations Global Youth Leadership Forum in the US.

Maddi was 2016 Lions Youth of the Year and Youth Peace Ambassador.

Maddi is recognised as a hard working young leader and community minded.

Accepting her award at Thursday’s Australia Day awards ceremony Maddi, who will be attending university this year acknowledged all of the nominees in the other award categories pointing out Cowra would not be the same without their contributions.

“Id like to express my gratitude towards the groups I have been involved in,” Maddi said, “namely the Cowra Youth Council, Cowra High and various sporting organisations that have provided me with opportunities to immerse myself in and allow me to achieve so highly.

“I have been fortunate enough to have the role models I have in my life, namely my parents who have encouraged me to embrace all aspects of life and maintain a sense of balance particularly in this last year of school.

“In receiving this award I hope I can represent to Young people that Cowra being a small town there are a vast amount of opportunities available for those that look to get involved may that be sporting, culturally, academic or otherwise.

“Once again thank you for this award, it is an honour, happy Australia Day.”